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Mark Inkey

@markinkey.bsky.social

English Editor for BNI (Burma News International), journalist writing about Myanmar and SE Asia.

55 Followers  |  67 Following  |  138 Posts  |  Joined: 09.01.2024  |  1.7899

Latest posts by markinkey.bsky.social on Bluesky

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Shingkawng residents struggle as junta and militias restrict goods flow In the remote village of Shingkawng in Kawnglanghpu Township, Putao District, Kachin State, residents are enduring hardships as the junta and an allied militia group jointly block the transport of goo...

Junta aligned Tang Gu Tan militia in Kawnglanghpu Township, Putao District, Kachin State bans locals from going to China to buy and sell goods, instead forcing them to deal with Chinese merchants they installed and tax who gouge the locals. www.bnionline.net/en/news/shin...

11.09.2025 07:16 β€” πŸ‘ 0    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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Southern Shan State Flooding Causes Casualties Villagers have died and others are missing due to flash floods that hit two villages in Theinkone Village Tract, in Pindaya Township, southern Shan State on 28 July 2025. At around 3:00 am, torrents o...

Heavy rains at the the tail end of Cyclone Wipha have bought havoc to several parts of Myanmar, including southern Shan State: www.bnionline.net/en/news/sout... and earlier Mon Sate: www.bnionline.net/en/news/no-j... and Arakan State: www.bnionline.net/en/news/leas...

31.07.2025 10:05 β€” πŸ‘ 0    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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No Junta Aid for Mon State Storm Victims Mon State communities affected by tornadoes and strong winds on 23 July 2025, that were the tail end of Cyclone Wipha, have yet to receive any assistance from the junta. On 23 July, tornadoes and stro...

Mon State communities affected by tornadoes and strong winds on 23 July at the tail end of Cyclone Wipha, have yet to receive any assistance from the junta. Despite this, junta telegram channels put out laughable false news saying the junta had supplied aid. www.bnionline.net/en/news/no-j...

29.07.2025 09:29 β€” πŸ‘ 0    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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Ponnagyun Township IDPs Need Food The 1,094 displaced people (IDPs) sheltering in Ganantaung camp in Ponnagyun Township, Arakan (Rakhine) State are in urgent need of food and medical supplies according to camp officials and residents....

IDPs in Ganantaung camp in Ponnagyun Township, Arakan (Rakhine) State urgently need food and medical supplies according to camp officials and residents.
They forage for food in the forest, which has become harder since the start of the rainy season. www.bnionline.net/en/news/ponn...

25.07.2025 03:59 β€” πŸ‘ 0    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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IDPs Urgently Need Malaria Drugs in Danu Self-Administered Zone People displaced (IDPs) from Minpalaung Village in Ywangan Township in southern Shan State, currently sheltering in forest nearby the village, urgently need medical assistance following a malaria outb...

IDPs Urgently Need Malaria Drugs in Danu Self-Administered Zone in southern Shan State. www.bnionline.net/en/news/idps...

24.07.2025 10:32 β€” πŸ‘ 0    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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KNU Disputes Report Saying it Controls a Third of Thai Border Areas The Karen National Union (KNU) has disputed a report saying the group controls about one third of the border area with Thailand and claims that it instead controls 90 per cent of the border area. The ...

An ISP-Myanmar report says the KNU controls a third of the Thai border area, the KNU claims it controls 90%. Possible confusion as ISP Myanmar were talking about entire border, whereas the KNU only controls 90% of border in Karen State according to ISP Myanmar map. www.bnionline.net/en/news/knu-...

24.07.2025 06:38 β€” πŸ‘ 1    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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Junta Shoots Conscripts Who Try to Flee The junta is sending newly drafted conscripts to the frontlines to fight the Arakan Army (AA) and reportedly executes any who attempt to retreat or flee. Two junta soldiers who defected to the AA duri...

Junta soldiers who deserted to the AA reveal that the junta is shooting conscripts who try flee the frontline or desert. Some conscripts are shooting themselves to avoid going to the frontlines. They are left to die and if they survive imprisoned. www.bnionline.net/en/news/junt...

18.07.2025 09:17 β€” πŸ‘ 0    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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Junta Retakes Naungcho Town from TNLA The junta has regained control of Naungcho (Nawnghkio) Town in northern Shan State’s Naungcho Township but there is still ongoing heavy fighting on the town’s outskirts. Previously, Naungcho Town was ...

The junta has regained control of Naungcho (Nawnghkio) Town in northern Shan State’s Naungcho Township but there is still ongoing heavy fighting on the town’s outskirts. www.bnionline.net/en/news/junt...

17.07.2025 09:27 β€” πŸ‘ 0    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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HIV Patient Dies Due to Arakan State Medicine Shortage A patient with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) has died in Pauktaw Township, Arakan (Rakhine) State, due to a shortage of antiretroviral (ART) medication needed to treat him. The patient, from Pauk...

The junta's blockade of road and river routes into Arakan State has led to a shortage of ART medication to treat HIV leading to deaths. An HIV patient just died in Pauktaw Township and at least four HIV patients have died since Jan 2024 due to medicine shortages. www.bnionline.net/en/news/hiv-...

17.07.2025 07:27 β€” πŸ‘ 1    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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Authorities Extort Money from Mon State Residents Junta authorities in Mon State are using the conscription law to collect and extort money which is being used to support regular junta soldiers and junta-affiliated militias. Residents of Mawlamyine C...

Junta authorities Extort Money from Mon State Residents saying it is needed to support conscripts and then use the money to support regular junta soldiers and junta-affiliated militias. www.bnionline.net/en/news/auth...

16.07.2025 11:08 β€” πŸ‘ 0    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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Thefts Rise in Mon State Though thefts have been on the rise in Mon State, the junta has barely responded or taken any action against the thieves, according to residents of the state. Brazen criminals have been using the cove...

Thefts are on the rise in Mon State and the junta authorities are doing nothing and refuse to go after the thieves when they are identified due to 'security concerns' which is likely just cowardice or collusion. www.bnionline.net/en/news/thef...

15.07.2025 03:42 β€” πŸ‘ 0    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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34 Women Killed In Myanmar in June 2025 34 women were killed and a further 49 injured by the junta across Myanmar during the month of June 2025 according to a 10 July report by the Burmese Women's Union (BWU). 18 of the women were killed by...

34 women were killed and a further 49 injured by the junta across Myanmar during the month of June 2025 according to a 10 July report by the Burmese Women's Union (BWU). www.bnionline.net/en/news/34-w...

14.07.2025 10:17 β€” πŸ‘ 1    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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Junta Tries to Retake Asia Highway in Kawkareik Township The junta has launched an offensive to retake the 15 mile (about 24 km) section of Asia Highway One (AH1) between the towns of Kyondoe and Kawkareik, in Kawkareik Township, resulting in heavy fighting...

The junta has launched an offensive to try to retake the section of Asian Highway 1 (AH1) between Kawkareik and Kyondoe in Karen State. This connects to the section of AH1 that goes through the mountains to Myawaddy on the Thai border: www.bnionline.net/en/news/junt...

11.07.2025 10:23 β€” πŸ‘ 0    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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Cambodia claims Wat Phu Man Fah copies Angkor Wat in UNESCO meeting Cambodia lodged a petition during the 47th session of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee on Thursday, claiming that Wat Phu Man Fah is a copy of Angkor Wat, prompting a response from the Thai delegat...

Cambodian Gvt complains to UNESCO about alleged Thai Angkor Wat copy. www.nationthailand.com/news/world/4... Previously complained when India did the same: www.ndtv.com/india-news/c... but supported China doing same: southeastasiaglobe.com/chinese-them... Who is the Cambodian Gvt's real master??

11.07.2025 10:18 β€” πŸ‘ 0    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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China Holds Talks to TNLA Prior to Peace Negotiations China separately held individual meetings in early June 2025 with the junta and the Ta'ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) prior to Chinese brokered peace talks between the two groups due to be held i...

China held individual meeting with TNLA and probably the junta prior to all three groups meeting at China brokered peace talks in August. The meeting focussed on enforcing a ceasefire, ensuring the safety of civilians, and maintaining stability along the border. www.bnionline.net/en/news/chin...

10.07.2025 10:12 β€” πŸ‘ 0    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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Junta Column Moving Through Launglon Township A column of junta soldiers that has been moving through Launglon Township since 14 June 2025 has caused residents to flee from nearly 10 more villages in two village tracts in Launglon Township, Tanin...

Residents are fleeing villages in Launglon Township near Dawei in Tanintharyi Region as a column of junta soldiers that entered the township in mid-June keeps moving through it terrorising villagers. www.bnionline.net/en/news/junt...

03.07.2025 10:21 β€” πŸ‘ 0    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 1
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Insufficient Medicine for Kachin State Malaria Crisis Many Kachin State townships are struggling with high rates of malaria infection and a shortage of drugs to treat malaria, according to the Kachin Backpack Health Worker Team (Kachin BPHWT). Mr Z, a ps...

There has been a surge of malaria cases in Karen State, especially the more deadly cerebral malaria. There are insufficient drugs to treat everyone. They have a limited shelf life and are being held in Myanmar ports awaiting tax clearance. www.bnionline.net/en/news/insu...

01.07.2025 05:45 β€” πŸ‘ 1    πŸ” 1    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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Nyaungshwe Township Floods Heavy rain has caused massive amounts of water to run-off from higher land and flooded lower-lying areas of Nyaungshwe Township destroying many acres of rice fields. According to residents the runoff ...

Nyaungshwe Township residents around Inle Lake continue to suffer. After severe flooding last Sept, the 28 March earthquake badly affected them & they had difficulty rebuilding due to shortages of materials and carpenters. Now they have been hit by floods again. www.bnionline.net/en/news/nyau...

18.06.2025 10:04 β€” πŸ‘ 0    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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Students Too Scared to Attend School in Hpakant Township Although government-run schools have reopened for the new academic year in Lone Khin Village in Hpakant Township, Kachin State, student attendance remains low due to ongoing instability in the region....

Although government-run schools have reopened for the new academic year in Lone Khin Village in Hpakant Township, Kachin State, student attendance remains low due to ongoing instability in the region. www.bnionline.net/en/news/stud...

13.06.2025 09:34 β€” πŸ‘ 0    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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Does anyone want this child? - Dawei Watch Newborns abandoned as mothers give up hope Beneath a makeshift extension on the ground floor of a dilapidated two-story house, a newborn baby lies on his back, sleeping on a rattan bed. Suddenly, he c...

Tragic story about the huge increase in mothers abandoning newborns in Dawei Town for various reasons, including lack of safety, money and families being ripped apart all due to the junta. Sadly, this is probably happening throughout the country. www.daweiwatch.com/09/06/2025/1...

13.06.2025 05:46 β€” πŸ‘ 0    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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Rains Decreases India to Arakan State Trade The early onset of this year’s rainy season has worsened the condition of roads between India and Arakan (Rakhine) State and has led to goods being transported on them becoming damaged. These roads, w...

The early onset of the rainy season has caused landslides and floods making it difficult to transport goods, especially food, from India to Arakan State along land routes and rivers, leading to an increase in food prices in Arakan State. www.bnionline.net/en/news/rain...

12.06.2025 09:11 β€” πŸ‘ 0    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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Malaria Cases on the Rise in Rakhine The number of malaria cases in Rakhine has surged during the monsoon season. Local residents report that malaria is prevalent in Ponnagyun, Kyauktaw, Buthidaung, Maungdaw, Rathedaung, Mrauk-U, and Min...

Heavy rains have heralded an early start to the wet season that has brought a malaria outbreak to Arakan State: www.bnionline.net/en/news/mala... and a dengue fever outbreak to Mon State: www.bnionline.net/en/news/deng...

12.06.2025 09:07 β€” πŸ‘ 0    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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Fighting Forces 8,000 to Flee in Pekon Township Thousands of residents from 13 eastern Pekon Township villages in southern Shan State have had to flee their homes due to heavy fighting in the area. On 2 June 2025, junta forces supported by members ...

Thousands of residents from 13 eastern Pekon Township villages in southern Shan State have had to flee their homes due to heavy fighting in the area. www.bnionline.net/en/news/figh...

11.06.2025 10:16 β€” πŸ‘ 0    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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Gold Mining Depletes Fish Stocks in Homalin Township Gold mining in Homalin Township, northern Sagaing Region has silted up and polluted lakes, rivers and streams so much that fish resources have been severely depleted. Gold mining is happening in many ...

Gold mining in Homalin Township, northern Sagaing Region has silted up and polluted lakes, rivers and streams so much that fish resources have been severely depleted. www.bnionline.net/en/news/gold...

10.06.2025 10:51 β€” πŸ‘ 0    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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Junta Uses Russian Software to Identify and Arrest People The junta is using Russian-made software in southern Shan State to identify people who joined the anti-coup Civil Disobedience Movement (CDM) and those wanted under Section 505 of the Penal Code. The ...

The junta is using Russian-made software in southern Shan State to identify people who joined the anti-coup Civil Disobedience Movement (CDM) and those wanted under Section 505 of the Penal Code. www.bnionline.net/en/news/junt...

10.06.2025 07:11 β€” πŸ‘ 1    πŸ” 2    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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Mae La Camp Food Poisoning Hospitalises Three Refugees After an outbreak of food poisoning at Mae La Refugee camp on the border with Myanmar in Thailand’s Tak Province three people, including a seven-month-old baby were hospitalised. According to official...

Three refugees were hospitalised and another seven had to be treated in hospital. It is believed to have happened because shops in Mae La Refugee Camp accidentally sold out of date snacks they had bought online. www.bnionline.net/en/news/mae-...

09.06.2025 10:39 β€” πŸ‘ 0    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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Crackdown on Unlicensed Vehicles Halts Emergency Patient Transport Services A crackdown on unlicensed vehicles by the military junta has intensified in Karen and the Mon States, resulting in the suspension of emergency patient transport services, according to humanitarian res...

Crackdown on unregistered vehicles in Mon State ordered by Min Aung Hlaing because they were depriving the army of income. Army still won't receive any extra money because officials enforcing the crackdown are taking huge bribes to release unregistered vehicles! www.bnionline.net/en/news/crac...

06.06.2025 10:37 β€” πŸ‘ 0    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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Junta-Run Schools to Open in KIA-Controlled Indawgyi Lake Area The Kachin Independence Army (KIA) will allow junta-run schools to re-open soon in rural areas under its control in the Indawgyi Lake area in Kachin State's Monghnyin Township. Since the KIA gave perm...

The KIA has allowed junta-government schools to open in the Indawgyi Lake area of Kachin State under its control. www.bnionline.net/en/news/junt... Here's hoping they won't allow the schools to extort money from parents as they have in other junta-controlled areas: www.bnionline.net/en/news/desp...

06.06.2025 08:51 β€” πŸ‘ 0    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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Flooding in Kyauktaw Township, Arakan State Heavy rainfall has caused serious flooding in Kyauktaw Township villages on the road between Kyauktaw Town and Mrauk-U Town in neighbouring Mrauk-U Township in Arakan (Rakhine) State. On 2 June 2025, ...

Early heavy rains have caused flooding in Kachin and Arakan (Rakhine) states. Read about Arakan flooding here, in Kyauktaw: www.bnionline.net/en/news/floo..., and across Rakhine: www.bnionline.net/en/news/inte.... Even Myanmar refugees in India were affected: www.bnionline.net/en/news/inte...

05.06.2025 09:09 β€” πŸ‘ 0    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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Ayeyarwady River at Dangerous Level in Myitkyina City The level of the Ayeyarwady River in the Kachin State capital, Myitkyina City, surpassed its dangerous depth of 12 metres on 2 June 2025, according the Kachin State Department of Meteorology and Hydro...

Early heavy rains have brought flooding to areas of Kachin and Arakan (Rakhine) State and affected Myanmar refugees in India.
Read about Kachin flooding here, in Myitkyina: www.bnionline.net/en/news/ayey..., Waingmaw: www.bnionline.net/en/news/aid-..., and Chipwi: www.bnionline.net/en/news/land...

05.06.2025 09:09 β€” πŸ‘ 0    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0

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